Cardiff awarded a 28-0 win over Toulouse but the defending champions could still qualify for the knockout stages

Cardiff Rugby have been awarded a 28-0 win over Toulouse following a meeting of an independent Match Risk Assessment Committee.

The EPCR has been advised that the Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 fixture between Stade Toulousain and Cardiff Rugby scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 22 January) at Stade Ernest-Wallon cannot go ahead.

Discussions with Stade Toulousain and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby took place before the Match Risk Assessment Committee, made up of medical doctors from EPCR’s Medical Advisory Group as well as independent medical specialists, advised EPCR of its concerns as Stade Toulousain had recorded a significant number of positive Covid-19 test results from within its tournament squad, and with the risk of further infection deemed to be too great, regrettably the decision was made to cancel the fixture.

Cardiff Rugby have therefore been awarded the match in Pool A on a 28-0, five-match points basis, in accordance with the Tournament Rules.

The result means that Toulouse could still qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

The defending Champions will be knocked out of the competition if two or more of these outcomes occur in the final round of the pool stages:

- Wasps claim two bonus points or beat Munster

- Castres beat Harlequins by more than 8 or with a bonus point

- Stade Francais claim a bonus-point win over Connacht by 35 points or more

- Scarlets claim a bonus point win over Bristol Bears by 68 points more

If just one of these four outcomes occur, Cardiff will not make the playoffs but Toulouse willl. If two or more occur, neither side will make the knockout stages.